Photo: Merrell Skyrunner World Series / Sobrescobio Skyrace.
Frédéric Tranchand and Sara Alonso broke the course records at the final regular-season race of the 2026 Merrell Skyrunner World Series. For Tranchand, the victory also reopened the championship battle ahead of SkyMasters.
Frédéric Tranchand delivered precisely the performance he needed at Sobrescobio Skyrace, defending his title and beating season-long rival Manuel Merillas with a new course record.
The French Merrell athlete attacked from the opening section and reached the first checkpoint at Llampaces in 34:09. Merillas was already 48 seconds behind, and the gap continued to grow as Tranchand moved through the technical terrain of Redes Natural Park.
Tranchand crossed the finish line in 2:39:14, improving his own course record by four minutes. Jan Torrella finished second in 2:42:06, narrowly holding off Marcos Villamuera by 21 seconds.
Merillas placed fourth in 2:43:42, leaving the championship fight open ahead of the season-ending SkyMasters at Marató dels Dements on November 7.
Alonso Untouchable in the Women’s Race
Sara Alonso was even more dominant.
The ASICS Trail athlete led from the first checkpoint and increased her advantage throughout the race. She finished in 3:14:02, setting a new women’s course record and winning by almost ten minutes.
Greta García completed an ASICS one-two in 3:23:55 after moving clear of Patricia Pineda during the second half. Pineda secured third place in 3:26:46.
The performance adds another major result to Alonso’s comeback season and confirms her as one of the strongest skyrunners heading into the final race of the year.
Photo: Merrell Skyrunner World Series / Sobrescobio Skyrace.
Sobrescobio Skyrace 2026 Results
Men
Frédéric Tranchand (FRA, Merrell) — 2:39:14, course record
Jan Torrella (ESP, Salomon) — 2:42:06
Marcos Villamuera (ESP, Scarpa) — 2:42:27
Manuel Merillas (ESP, New Balance) — 2:43:42
Ibai Larrea (ESP, X-Bionic Integrity) — 2:45:25
Women
Sara Alonso (ESP, ASICS Trail) — 3:14:02, course record
Greta García (ESP, ASICS Trail) — 3:23:55
Patricia Pineda (ESP, La Sportiva) — 3:26:46
Oihana Zubillaga (ESP, Basque EMF) — 3:32:59
Eve Pannone (GBR, Brooks) — 3:36:23
Sobrescobio concluded the regular season, but the biggest question remains unresolved: Tranchand or Merillas for the 2026 title. The answer will come at SkyMasters.
